6. Calliphysalis Whitson, Rhodora. 114: 137, figs. 1–3. 2012.
[E]
Carpenter’s groundcherry [Greek calli, beautiful, and genus Physalis, alluding to resemblance]
Maggie Whitson
Herbs, perennial, pubescent, hairs simple, mostly glandular; taproot fleshy. Stems branching. Leaves alternate. Inflorescences axillary, fasciculate, 2–6-flowered. Flowers 5-merous; calyx campanulate, enclosing berry, lobes 5, accrescent, broadly triangular; corolla yellow with 5 olive green spots at base of throat, radial, broadly campanulate; stamens inserted at base of corolla tube; anthers basifixed, oblong, dehiscing by longitudinal slits; ovary 2-carpellate; style filiform; stigma capitate. Fruits berries, globose, fleshy. Seeds discoid to reniform (intermixed with sclerotic granules). x = 12.
Species 1: se United States.
Calliphysalis was originally considered a morphologically odd species of Physalis. It shares an enlarged fruiting calyx and yellow corollas with Physalis, but its perennial taproot is unique and the clustered flowers atypical. Molecular data (M. Whitson and P. S. Manos 2005; R. G. Olmstead et al. 2008) do not place Calliphysalis within the group of North American Physalis species, supporting its recognition as a distinct physaloid genus.
